Apparatus for increasing candle-power of gas



(No Model. 'z'sneets-sheet 1.

v R. s. LAWRENCE. v APPARATUS FOR INGRBASING. CANDLE POWER OF GAS.

'N0v. 577,762. Patented Feb.'Z3, 1897.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets--Sheet '2 R. S'.-LAWRENCE. APPARATUS FOR INCREASING CANDLE POWER OF GAS.

Patente'd- Peb.23, 189-7.

Nrrnn ROBERT S. LAWRENCE,

ATENT FFICE.

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 577,762, dated February 23, 1897.

Application filed May 2,1896. Serial No. 589,954. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, ROBERT S. LAWRENCE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certainl new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Increasing the Candle-Power of Gas, of which I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description, reference'being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

The desirability of increasing the candlepower of illuminating-gas by enriching said gas by contact with hydrocarbons of various kinds has long been well recognized, but in most apparatus employed for this purpose it has been necessary to use hydrocarbons of a highly-volatile character. The use of this class of hydrocarbons is objectionable for various reasons, not the least of which is the fact that the restrictions of the municipality and insurance boards practically prohibit the use in insured buildings and within city limits of carbureting apparatus in which highlyvolatile hydrocarbons,such as 87 and gasolene or the like, are used.

One object of my present invention is to enable heavy hydrocarbons to be employed for the purpose of enriching or increasing the candle-power of illuminating-gas, and this object is accomplished by the novel features hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanyin g drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims at the close of this specification.

A further object of the present invention is to effect the enrichment of the illuminatinggas by bringing the same in direct contact with calcium carbid moistened to the desired degree. The use ofcalcium carbid in a pro ductionof illuminating-gas of intense brillianoy has been long well recognized, but the danger incident to the use of the highlycharged cylinders employed in storing the acetylene obtained from the calcium carbid has been and must continue to be a serious detriment to its general use. By my present invention I am enabled to utilize the calcium carbid for the purpose of giving the desired degree of brilliancy to the flame and at the same time avoid all danger of maintaining the acetylene or the gas under such condi- -non-corrodingmaterial.

tions of pressure as might render it in any wise dangerous.

vThe hydrocarbon employed in the operation of my invention may vary between 68 and 78, and the carbid may vary from the purest down to the refuse or such as would be unfit for ordinary acetylene-gas manufacture. The average candle-power of coal-gas is 16 and of water-gas 22; but any degree of candle-power between these points and 60 may be attained and maintained by the proper practice of my invention.

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of my improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is aview in central vertical section through the carbureter.

Fig. dis a plan view of the carbureter with the top removed. Fig. 4: is a view in horizontal section through the carbureter at a point immediately above the gas-induction.

opening, parts being omitted. Fig. 5 is a view in central vertical section through the carbid-chamber. Fig. 6 is a view in horizontal section on line 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detail or perspective view of one of the perforated cylinders surrounded with wicking, with which cylinders one compartment of the 'carburetingchamber is filled.

inous metalcylinders D, each of whichis enveloped with a jacketd, of wicking composed of cotton and asbestos or other suitable fibrous material. The purpose of this wicking,whereby the cylinders D are jacketed, is to raise the hydrocarbon by a capillary attraction and thus expose it thoroughly to the action of the gas that is caused to fill the spaces within and between the cylinders D in the upper part of the chamber 1). Between the walls B and O and from top to bottom thereof extends a division-plate B, and this plate and as well also the annular plates B and O are hermetically joined to the horizontal plate E, which, with the cover A, forms the atomizing-chamber F in the upper part of the carbureter. The gas is delivered to intermediate chamber Z) of the carbureter by a supply-pipe G, that passes through the outer chamber a and through the wall B at one side of the transverse vertical wall B. In the plate E and at the opposite side of the vertical plate B (see Fig. 3) is formed an opening with which communicates the atomizer-pipe H, and it is by means of this pipe II that the gas after passing through the chamber 5 is delivered into the atomizing-chamber F. The atomizer-pipe 11 extends around the outer portion of the chamber F, and upon its inner side is provided at short intervals with groups of discharge-jets h and h, each of these jets having contracted tips. The jets h discharge directly outward from the trunk-pipe H, but the jets h have their tips reversely bent in order to discharge the gas issuing therefrom directly again st the gas that issues from the jets h. By this means the friction of attrition due to the impinging of the counter-currents of gas issuing from the oppositely-disposed jets h and h causes the molecules of hydrocarbon to be more thoroughly separated and intimately ad mixed with the gas whereby they are carried in suspension. From the atomizing-chamber Fthe carbureted gas will be received by perforated pipe K, that is located within the chamber F, and from this pipe will be conducted away by a vertical pipe K, either for direct consumption or for subsequent further treatment in the carbid-chamber, as will presently more fully appear.

The construction of carbureter above described is attended with many advantages. In the first place, by forming the carbureter of three concentric chambers, the chamber of which serves as the carbureting chamber proper and is connected at its base with the adjacent chambers, an ample supply of oil can be retained in the base of the carbureter, and this supply is disposed in such manner that it effectively serves to prevent the extreme reduction of temperature within the carbureting-chamber as the atomization of the oil in the upper part of this chamber occurs. By filling the chamber b with the perforated or foraminous cylinders, jacketed with Wicking or like fibrous material, a much more thorough and effective exposure of the gas to the hydrocarbon both within and around the cylinders is secured, and by interposing a transverse vertical plate or wall between the gas delivery and discharge openings of the chamber 1) the supply of gas is caused to entirely traverse the chamber before it can escape therefrom. By extending the atomizing-pipe I-I around the exterior portion of the atomizing-chamber F, I am enabled to provide this pipe with a larger number of discharge-jets, (a few groups of which only are illustrated in the drawings,) and thus effectively separate the molecules of the hydrocarbon and effect a more thorough mixture thereof with the gas whereby they are carried in suspension.

The carbureter A is connected by a vertical pipe Kwith the transverse pipe N, that leads directly from the main supply-pipe G into the carbid-chamber O, and from this transverse pipe N a vertical pipe N leads to the point of consumption. With the dischargepipe N connects a pipe N that leads from the discharge side of the carbid-chamber O. The delivery-pipe G and the pipes K, N, N, and N are provided, respectively, with the cocks g, 70, 12, 72, 72 and 12 and by proper manipulation of these cooks the flow of gas from the main supply-pipe G can be caused to pass either directly into the main dischargepipe N without being carbureted at all, or can be caused to pass directly from the carbureter into the discharge-pipe N', or can be caused to pass directly from the supply-pipe G through the carbid-chamber and thence to the discharge-pipe N, or (as will be the usual course) may be caused to pass first through the carbureter, then through the carbidchamber, and thence to the discharge-pipe N. The carbid-chamber 0 comprises an outer casing or cylinder and an inner concentric chamber or hopper O, in which the lumps of carbid will be placed. Preferably the chamber O has its upper portion provided with numerous perforations and has its lower portion formed as a bowl or liquid-tight receptacle. In the top of the casing O is formed an opening, preferably screw-threaded, to receive a cap 0, and by preference this cap has a depending inner portion that enters the top of the chamber 0', and thus securely retains this chamber in position. Into the cap 0 is tapped a water-supply pipe 2, that is provided with a controlling-cock 0 and at its top with a suitable funnel 0 Preferably the terminals of the pipes N and N within the casing 0 will consist of segmental perforated tubes k and n, and between these terminals are interposed the vertical plates 0 the purpose of which is to insure the passage of the gas through the carbid-containing chamber 0.

In the preferred manner of practicing my invention the gas, after it has been carbureted in manner hereinbefore described, will be delivered from the carbureter by the terminal into the carbid-chamber O, and as it passes through the perforated walls of the chamber 0 it Will take up the desired quantity of gas from the calcium carbid within this chamber 0 and will pass thence through the terminal a to the pipe N 2 and thence by the discharge-pipe N to the point of consumption. As it is not my main purpose to impart to the illuminating-gas the intense brilliancy of acetylene gas, and as it is highly desirable to avoid the great pressure incident to the rapid generation of this latter gas from the calcium carbid, the supply of water admitted to the calcium carbid within the chamber will be so restricted as to cause but slight generation of gas therefrom. Indeed, ordinarily it will be foundthat sufficient acetylene gas will be generated from the contact with the carbid of the carbureted gas, which carries in suspension a certain amount of wa ter. When it is desired to renew the carbid in the carbid-mixer, it is only necessary to remove the cap 0 and then recharge the casing 0 with carbid or substitute a freshlycharged casing therefor; By thus subjecting illuminating-gas after it has been carbureted to contact with calcium carbid the brilliancy of the gas can be increased to the desired percentage, and by the apparatus described a simple and most efficient means for accomplishing this is provided.

In order to permit the hydrocarbon oil to be supplied to the carbureter without interfering with its operation or without exposing the body of the oil and so occasioning escape of unpleasant odors or explosions, I prefer to connect with the carbureter the reservoir R. (Illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings.) This reservoir consists of a tank havinga supplyoutlet at its bottom and an inlet at its top, these being connected, respectively by the pipes R and R with the outer chamber a of the carbureter. The pipes R and R Will be furnished, respectively, with the cooks 'r and T and when these cocks are open oil will flow from the reservoir B into the chamber a of the carbureter, while the gas displaced in the chamber Cl. will pass by the pipe E into the upper part of the reservoir. In order to permit the reservoir R to be replenished from time to time, I provide the top of this reservoir with the supply-pipe t and the vent-pipe t, the pipe if communicating with the bottom of a tank T, while the pipe t communicates with the top of such tank. The pipes 75 and t will be furnished, respectively, with the cooks t and t and these pipes should also be formed in sections united by couplings t and t and beneath these couplings should be furnished with the shutoff cocks t and i. WVhen it is desired to replenish the reservoir R, the tank T will be placed upon a suitable support V and the sections of the pipes 25 and t will be coupled together. The several cocks of these pipes will then be opened and the oil from the tank T will flow into the reservoir R to be dispensed with when desired, and.

then permit the carbureter to be supplied with oil from time to time from the tank T. As-

suming that the couplings r r are open and the reservoir R removed, it is manifest that the tank T may have its oil-delivery pipes t coupled directly with the pipe R While the vent-pipe 25 will be coupled with the short pipe R Oil may then be admitted directly from the tank T to the chamber Z) of the carbureter, while air passes from the top of the carbureter into the upper part of the tank. The several cocks with which the pipes R, R and R are provided permit the supply of oil to be admitted to the carbureter and enable these pipes to be cut off when the tank T is to be removed.

I wish it distinctly understood that while I have described what I regard as the preferred embodiment of my invention the details above set out may be varied within wide limits with out departing from the spirit of the invention and that features of the invention may be used without its adoption as an entirety. So,

also, I wish it understood that while in the of hydrocarbon, and an intermediate chamber communicating at its bottom with the central and outer chambers but closed at its top and containing the entire mass of fibrous material.

whereby the hydrocarbon is raised by capillary attraction, said intermediate chamber being provided with suitable gas inlet and outlet ports.

2. A carbureter comprising a central chamber and the outer chamber to retain a volume of hydrocarbon, and an intermediate chamber communicating at its bottom with the central and outer chambers but closed at its top and containing the en tire mass of fibrous material whereby the hydrocarbon is raised by capillary attraction, said intermediate chamber being provided with suitable gas inlet and outlet ports, and being provided also with a vertical division -Wall upon opposite sides whereof the inlet and outlet ports are arranged. i

3. A carbureter comprising a central chamber and the outer chamber to retain a volume of hydrocarbon, and an intermediate chamber communicating at its bottom with the central and outer chambers but closed at its top and containing the fibrous material whereby the hydrocarbon is raised by capillary attrac tion, said inter-mediate chamber being provided with suitable gas inlet and outlet ports and comprising also an atomizing-chamber ex tending across said above-mentioned chambers and provided with the atomizing-pipe having a series of jets, said jets being arranged to cause cnrren ts issuing therefrom to too impinge directly against each other as they issue into the atomizing-chamber and a discharge-pipe leading from said atomizingchamber.

4. A carbureter comprising the central chamber, the outer chamber and the intermediate chamber connected together at their bottoms, an atomizing-chamber extending across the tops of said several chambers, an atomizing-pipe connected with the carbureting-chamber and arranged within but around the exterior of said atomizing-chamber and provided with inwardlyiacing discharge ducts or jets, and a pipe leading from said atomizing-chamber, substantially as described.

5. A carbureter comprising the combination With a chamber containing fibrous material whereby the hydrocarbon will be raised by capillary attraction, said chamber being provided with suitable admission and dis charge openings, of an atomizing-chainber, an atomizing-pipe arranged around the exterior of said atomizing-chamber and provided with inwardly-discharging jets, and a perforated discharge-pipe leading from the central portion of said atomizing-chamber.

6. A11 apparatus for increasing the brilliancy of gas comprising the combination of a casing having suitable admission and dis charge pipes leading thereto and therefrom, of a perforated or foraminous receptacle within said casing for containing calcium carbid and interposed between said pipes, a removable cover through which said receptacle can be withdrawn and a water-supply pipe leading through said cover and provided with a controlling-valve, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a carbureter, of a chamber for carbid' of calcium, a pipe for supplying gas to the carbureter, a pipe connecting the carburetor with the chamber for the carbid of calcium, a pipe leading from said carbid-chamber to the main dischargepipe, a branch pipe connecting the main supply-pipe with the main discharge-pipe and with the carbid-chamber and suitable cocks interposed in said several pipes whereby the gas from the supply-pipe may be caused to flow direct to the discharge-pipe, or to the carbureter and thence to the discharge-pipe, or to the carburetor and to the carbid-chamber and thence to the discharge-pipe, or to the carbid-chamber and thence to the dischargepipe.

ROBERT S. LAWRENCE. Witnesses:

FRED GERLACH, ALBERTA ADAMICK. 

